This is intended as a meeting place for folk interested in the music I make with Marcus Cliffe as Miracle Mile or my solo stuff as 'Jones'.
I hope it'll be fun and might host some healthy banter; giving me a chance to share some music, video, thoughts etc.
It can get a little lonely in the attic; why not slide a note under the door...

Friday, 7 November 2014

Lovesong: Damien Rice: I Don't Want to Change You

'It was like learning how to walk again, a little bit like going for a walk in the woods without really knowing where you're going"'

I like a sad song.
I was taken by the heartache of Damien Rice's debut 'O'.
It seemed like a genuine outpouring, coming on both sanguine and sad, it was beautifully restrained and contained, with Lisa Hannigan providing a detached and wonderfully calming foil for the injured party's malaise.
The follow up '9' ploughed a similar furrow but, Christ, did it burrow deep.... It was all so bleatingly bleak; 'Do you miss my smell"? etc. Too much blood from the same vein; what was once affecting and winning was effectively becoming a whine.
And now, after an 8 year hiatus comes 'My Favourite Faded Fantasy', his long awaited follow up and... Damien's still not a happy chappy - “You could be my poison, my cross, my razor blade/ I could love you more than life if I wasn’t so afraid.” - but this is a misery that loves company.
Sure, there's angst akimbo but there's now a keening subtlety to the drama; a haunting beauty to the melancholy that is engaging: truly captivating.
Here's Rice talking about his creative process:

Recorded in icy detachment at Sigur Ros's studio in Iceland, Rik Rubin's production is lush and lean; subtly expansive, allowing Rice to exhail. He's given the time and space to be genuinely sorrowful. The orchestrations and extended fades are a sign that airplay is the last thing on his mind.
As you can see from the video below, Damien won't be getting the next Coke or John Lewis ad, but this is sterlingly strong, engrossing, engaging, fractured, fucked up and full of hope.
It's all quite lovely.
Not so much a come back as a recovery...

4 comments:

"Faded Fantasy" not released here across the pond for a few more days, but the full album is posted on YouTube, so I've given it a proper listen. This is a surprisingly sweet return to form! I have to be perfectly honest... Rice's last album "9" left such a bad taste in my mouth that I probably would've given any new release a skip. How can you forgive cliche lyrics like "Well I know you I make you cry / And I know sometimes you wanna die" or how about horribly laughable stuff like "I am horny lately / So why would she take me horny?" or the lovely chorus that goes "F*ck you, F*ck you, F*ck you..." or your own personal fave... "Do you brush your teeth before you kiss? / Do you miss my smell?" All sung with utter earnestness, not a trace of irony or humor. The whole album seemed like a whiny vanity exercise to my ears. After 8 years passing I truly believed it was all over "one hit wonder" Mr. Rice.

Just goes to show that no one is irredeemable. 'Faded Fantasy' may not have the element of mystery & boldness of production that the debut "0" possessed, lyrics being much more transparent here, and lacks Lisa H's angelic vocals... But Damien's vocals have never sounded better (toning down the falsetto whine). Still the occasional awkward lyric, but words appear to be more carefully chosen, nothing cringe-worthy. Unlike the last record, I can connect with the humble heartbreak & melancholy here, no doubt inspired by his thorny split with Lisa. There are goose-bump moments in the lyrics/music, and Rubin's production is just right. Strings all over the place, and you know I'm a sucker for strings!

Thanks Trev for bringing this to my attention. I'm sure I would have bypassed this one. I'll be down to HMV to pick it up when released. Now I'll have to squeeze this one into my "Top 10 of 2014"... Got your list compiled?

Ay, still sum lumpy lyrics but sung with enough conviction to convince. Rubin does seem to have restrained the 'just tell 'em how you feel' vibe that abounded on '9' and made it seem more like the counseling coach rather than listening post. Working on my list; looking forward to you sharing yours. How's Mrs TT doing?

Here is a 'slightly' less serious take on this album, but I found it funny.. http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2014/10/31/new-damien-rice-album-the-perfect-soundtrack-to-single-man-staring-at-photos-of-ex-girlfriend/

Click Image Below to Access Miracle Mile Website

Jones: 'Happy Blue'

Click on image to buy

'Happy Blue' The New Album by Jones

Click Cover Above to Access Store

Feedback for 'To the Bone'

To The Bone is beautiful, delicate, like whispers in the wind or that glimpse from the corner of your eye. It draws you in and seduces you with both sounds and words. It's Trevor Jones' most simple and perhaps honest record - emotions stripped down 'to the bone' and the stripped down feel to the album compliment the music perfectly.If you hear a more beautiful album this year then I'll eat my Marshall gigging cap.

Macwood Fleet

I have been enjoying your excellent 'To the Bone' album over the past week. It's a quietly, powerful album that reveals more of itself upon repeat listens. The understated production works really well.

Cerdin Rogers

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say that I absolutely love the record. Although musically it’s clearly much more stripped down than In Cassidy’s Care, it is every bit it’s equal! It’s a record that I play all the way through because it is incredibly consistent and it’s almost a cliché to state that that’s a rarity these days. This being the case, it’s almost unfair to single out particular tracks but 'Phil The Hat' is one of the most moving songs that I have heard for some time and I think 'Fireworks' could be my favourite song of yours. Now I just need to write a review that will do the record justice!!!

Rob Marsh

A big thanks for, once again, producing a beautiful album. I'm clumsy with words but even the most articulate of people couldn't put down on paper just how great this album is. It simply needs to be listened to. No other artist can strike up emotions and imagery like you can, and for this I thank you.I engross myself in your albums like a great book that I can't put down. I know we're only in March but 'To the Bone' is album of the year. Anyone who says different has neither a heart or a soul.

Phil Hogarth

'To the Bone' arrived yesterday. I have listened a few times. For me is another masterprice full of wonderful melodies. Thank for your music. Un abrazo(regards).

Mario Matamoro

I have got mildly excited as my wife (Di) likes 'Books to Bed'.Just played the album 3 times in a row. I guess that you have always written close to your heart but this time it just seems more personal. I have to confess I felt the tears welling up at the end. Maybe I'm getting to be a big softie in my senior years but this album has a chunk of your soul and I think that Marcus has responded with a sensitive and sympathetic production that elevates the album. I am looking forward to getting to know it more.I failed to mention that it is very very good! I love the way it ends...

Chris Guildersleve

Bloody Hell TREV, what are you trying to do to me?? I am now going to call you the Marquis of Melancholy. You ripped my heart out and sliced it up!!! I almost got in the car this morning and drove up to give you a big old man hug!!!! Still digesting To The Bone and trying I gets head around it. One thing though, the ending, genius. Very Sigur Ros.

Nick Baker

Beautiful is how I would describe it, Ive had a good few listens now and it's everything you hope for, nothing more and nothing less...!Simply Stunning to be honest, keep going...

Geoff Wright

'To the Bone' available now

Click on Ad to Order Now

Miracle Mile: 'In Cassidy's Care'

Click on Poster to Order

Miracle Mile Albums

Bicycle Thieves/Candids/Alaska/Stories We Could Tell/Glow/Limbo/Coffee and Stars

Miracle Mile 'Taster'. Listen/Free Download

'In Cassidy's Care'. Click Image Below to Read the Story Behind the Songs. Kindle Version